PRESS RELEASE – An increase in the tax charged by the Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) on fuel purchased by Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) came into effect on June 16, 2014 when the statutory instrument for that purpose was published in the Saint Lucia Gazette.
Consequently, all fuel purchased by LUCELEC from Buckeye St. Lucia Terminal Limited since then has attracted a levy of fifty cents ($0.50) on every gallon. This increase in the levy will be reflected in customers’ bills beginning in July.
LUCELEC customers can expect a marginal increase in the fuel surcharge applied to electricity bills. For July bills that’s a difference of about 0.9 cents per unit (kilowatt hour).
Despite the adjustment, the fuel surcharge for July is minus 0.1 cents per unit, as the overall price paid for fuel by LUCELEC during the month of June was still marginally below the average price paid for fuel the previous year.
LUCELEC customers can see details of the basic tariff and fuel surcharge on their monthly electricity bills.
The increase in the fuel levy from 20 cents ($0.20) per gallon to 50 cents ($0.50) per gallon was announced by Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony during the presentation of the 2014/15 Budget Statement in May this year.